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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 163 records · Page 9
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DOE OSTI2023

The Regenerative Current Mirror: A Very Low Power Front-End Amplifier for Silicon Pixel Detectors

In pixelized detectors, reducing power consumption in the front- end ASIC chips becomes a crucial demand. Optimization based on mature pre-amplifier schemes today is unlikely to bring sufficient improvements. A new CMOS front-end gain stage topology with very low power consumption called regenerative current mirror is developed to fulfill the demand. The circuit takes advantage of high-speed performance of current amplification while operating with relatively low bias current. The regenerative current mirror uses a NMOS current mirror and a PMOS current mirror, both with nominal gain of 1, to form a loop-back topology that provides a positive feedback. An NMOS FET with an external adjustable voltage applied to it gate terminal is used to limit open loop gain of the current mirrors to be slightly lower than 1. This yields a net gain of the positive feedback loop to be much larger than 1 while operating the current mirrors under relatively low bias currents. Simulation shows that in 65 nm fabrication process, the power consumption of the gain stages suitable for silicon pixel detectors can be controlled < 10 micro-Watts per channel. Another novel low-power circuit called Pseudo-Thyristor presented in another document will replace traditional discriminator and the Regenerative Current Mirror plus Pseudo- Thyristor will provide a full solution for the silicon pixel low-power frontend ASIC.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2021

Analytic results for scalar-mediated Higgs boson production in association with two jets

Abstract We present compact analytic formulae for all one-loop amplitudes representing the production of a Higgs boson in association with two jets, mediated by a colour triplet scalar particle. Many of the integral coefficients present for scalar mediators are identical to the case when a massive fermion circulates in the loop, reflecting a close relationship between the two theories. The calculation is used to study Higgs boson production in association with two jets in a simplified supersymmetry (SUSY) scenario in which the dominant additional contributions arise from loops of top squarks. The results presented here facilitate an indirect search for top squarks in this channel, by a precision measurement of the corresponding cross section. However, we find that the potential for improved discrimination between the Standard Model and SUSY cases suggested by the pattern of results in the one- and two-jet samples is unlikely to be realized due to the loss in statistical power compared to an inclusive analysis.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2023

Constraining properties of asymmetric dark matter candidates from gravitational-wave observations

The accumulation of certain types of dark matter particles in neutron star cores due to accretion over long timescales can lead to the formation of a mini black hole. In this scenario, the neutron star is destabilized and implodes to form a black hole without significantly increasing its mass. When this process occurs in neutron stars in coalescing binaries, one or both stars might be converted to a black hole before they merge. Thus, in the mass range of ~1–2M ⊙ , the Universe might contain three distinct populations of compact binaries: one containing only neutron stars, the second population of only black holes, and a third, mixed population consisting of a neutron star and a black hole. However, it is unlikely to have a mixed population as the various timescales allow for both neutron stars to remain or collapse within a short timescale. In this paper, we explore the capability of future gravitational-wave detector networks, including upgrades of Advanced LIGO and Virgo, and new facilities such as the Cosmic Explorer and Einstein Telescope (XG network), to discriminate between different populations by measuring the effective tidal deformability of the binary, which is zero for binary black holes but nonzero for binary neutron stars. Furthermore, we show that observing the relative abundances of the different populations can be used to infer the timescale for neutron stars to implode into black holes, and in turn, provide constraints on the particle nature of dark matter. Furthermore, the XG network will infer the implosion timescale to within an accuracy of 0.01 Gyr at 90% credible interval and determine the dark matter mass and interaction cross section to within a factor of 2 GeV and 10 cm –2 , respectively.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2024

Detection of uranium-photofission neutrons with a 4 He scintillation detector

The use of photon active interrogation to detect special nuclear material has held significant theoretical promise, as the interrogating source particles, photons, are fundamentally different from one of the main signatures of special nuclear material: neutrons produced in nuclear fission. However, neutrons produced by photonuclear reactions in the accelerator target, collimator, and environment can obscure the fission neutron signal. These (γ, n) neutrons could be discriminated from fission neutrons by their energy spectrum, but common detectors sensitive to the neutron spectrum, like organic scintillators, are typically hampered by the intense photon background characteristic of photon-based active interrogation. In contrast, high-pressure 4 ⁢He-based scintillation detectors are well-suited to photon active interrogation, as they are similarly sensitive to fast neutrons and can measure their spectrum, but show little response to gamma rays. Here, in this work, a photon active interrogation system utilizing a 4 ⁢He scintillation detector and a 9 MeV linac-bremsstrahlung x-ray source was experimentally evaluated. The detector was shown to be capable of operating in intense gamma-ray environments and detecting photofission neutrons from 238 ⁢U when interrogated by this x-ray source. The photofission neutrons show clear spectral separation from (γ, n) neutrons produced in lead, a common shielding material.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2024

Mass generation in an Abelian gauge theory with multiple scalar fields and no tree-level dimensionful couplings

We study the Abelian Higgs model with multiple scalar fields, but without mass terms. Solving the model nonperturbatively order-by-order in the number of scalar fields, we find that radiative corrections generate masses for the scalar and gauge boson, without spontaneous symmetry breaking. The mass scales are set by the Λ -parameter of the electroweak running coupling, thereby naturally avoiding the hierarchy problem. No part of our calculation employs a weak-coupling expansion, and we find that the perturbative vacuum is metastable, and hence must decay to the stable nonperturbative vacuum of the theory, which we identify. Although the field content of our Lagrangian is standard, our results predict the existence of two heavy scalar resonances in addition to the Higgs. We believe that these predicted resonances will ultimately allow experimentalists to discriminate between our method and standard solutions of the Higgs model. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2022

Assessment of the associated particle technique with high-resolution gamma-ray spectroscopy for in-field identification of chemical warfare agents and explosives

In this work, high-resolution prompt γ-ray neutron activation analysis (PGNAA) is performed using the associated particle (AP) technique with a deuterium-tritium neutron generator and high-purity germanium detector. Although the time resolution is inferior compared to similar systems employing fast scintillation γ-ray detectors, the strong background suppression combined with the high γ-ray energy resolution provides an important boost in sensitivity to certain key elements, especially relevant to field measurements of complex chemicals encased within thick layers of metal, such as in the case of recovered chemical warfare (CW) munitions. Results for various CW and explosive simulants contained within mock munitions are presented and compared with results obtained from traditional PGNAA measurements without the aid of the AP technique. Significant improvements in identification and discrimination between certain chemicals are achieved with the high energy resolution AP technique.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2022

A Search for Sterile-Neutrino-Based Muon Neutrino Disappearance Using the MicroBooNe Deep Learning Analysis

We describe a search for νµ disappearance using the MicroBooNE Deep Learning analysis 1µ1p selection. Presently, the unexplained MiniBooNE and LSND anomalies could be explained by a sterile neutrino impacting neutrino oscillations. Our analysis searches for the allowed parameter space that could describe such a sterile neutrino. We determine the allowed and excluded region of a 3+1 sterile-based muon neutrino disappearance model in MicroBooNE at 90% confidence. Our allowed region includes both the null model, and current global best fit model. Context for the underlying Deep Learning analysis is provided and several validation studies surrounding both the disappearance search, and originating 1µ1p selection are performed to strengthen confidence in the result. In addition, a next-generation deep learning tool for cosmic-ray-muon event discrimination is proposed and evaluated, demonstrating a removal of 70% of the remaining event background when added to current methods, under the cut criteria used.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2022

A Search for Sterile-Neutrino-Based Muon Neutrino Disappearance Using the MicroBooNe Deep Learning Analysis

We describe a search for νµ disappearance using the MicroBooNE Deep Learning analysis 1µ1p selection. Presently, the unexplained MiniBooNE and LSND anomalies could be explained by a sterile neutrino impacting neutrino oscillations. Our analysis searches for the allowed parameter space that could describe such a sterile neutrino. We determine the allowed and excluded region of a 3+1 sterile-based muon neutrino disappearance model in MicroBooNE at 90% confidence. Our allowed region includes both the null model, and current global best fit model. Context for the underlying Deep Learning analysis is provided and several validation studies surrounding both the disappearance search, and originating 1µ1p selection are performed to strengthen confidence in the result. In addition, a next-generation deep learning tool for cosmic-ray-muon event discrimination is proposed and evaluated, demonstrating a removal of 70% of the remaining event background when added to current methods, under the cut criteria used.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2025

Measurement of light-by-light scattering and the Breit-Wheeler process, and search for axion-like particles in ultraperipheral PbPb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 5.02 TeV

Measurements of light-by-light scattering (LbL, γγ → γγ) and the Breit-Wheeler process (BW, γγ → e + e − ) are reported in ultraperipheral PbPb collisions at a centre-of-mass energy per nucleon pair of 5.02 TeV. The data sample, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 1.7 nb −1 , was collected by the CMS experiment at the CERN LHC in 2018. Events with an exclusively produced γγ or e + e − pair with invariant masses m γγ,ee > 5 GeV, along with other fiducial criteria, are selected. The measured BW fiducial production cross section, σ fid (γγ → e + e − ) = 263.5 ± 1.8(stat) ± 17.8(syst) μb, as well as the differential distributions for various kinematic observables, are in agreement with leading-order quantum electrodynamics predictions complemented with final-state photon radiation. The measured differential BW cross sections allow discrimination between different theoretical descriptions of the photon flux of the lead ion. In the LbL final state, 26 exclusive diphoton candidate events are observed compared with 12.0 ± 2.9 expected for the background. Combined with previous results, the observed significance of the LbL signal with respect to the background-only hypothesis is above five standard deviations. The measured fiducial LbL scattering cross section, σ fid (γγ → γγ) = 107 ± 24(stat) ± 13(syst) nb, is in agreement with next- to-leading-order predictions. Limits on the production of axion-like particles coupled to photons are set over the mass range 5–100 GeV, including the most stringent limits to date in the range of 5–10 GeV.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2025

Emergence of the polydeterminant in QCD

A generalization of the determinant appears in particle physics in effective Lagrangian interaction terms that model the chiral anomaly in quantum chromodynamics (Giacosa et al. in Phys Rev D 97(9):091901, 2018, Phys Rev D 109(7):L071502, 2024), in particular in connection to mesons. This polydeterminant function, known in the mathematical literature as a mixed discriminant, associates N distinct N x N complex matrices into a complex number and reduces to the usual determinant when all matrices are taken as equal. Here, we explore the main properties of the polydeterminant applied to (quantum) fields by using a formalism and a language close to high-energy physics approaches. We discuss its use as a tool to write down novel chiral anomalous Lagrangian terms and present an explicit illustrative model for mesons. Finally, the extension of the polydeterminant as a function of tensors is shown.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2024

Performance of a second generation of the Fermilab Constant Fraction Discriminator ASIC for time-stamping long-strip AC-LGAD sensors.

We present the design and performance characterization results of the second generation of the novel Fermilab Constant Fraction Discriminator ASIC (FCFD) developed to readout AC-coupled low gain avalanche detector (AC-LGAD) sensors. This study presents the performance of the ASIC which was optimized specifically for reading out strip AC-LGAD sensors designed for ePIC experiment at EiC. Performance was measured using charge injection and particle beams with prototype AC-LGAD sensors wirebonded to the FCFD ASIC.

Apresyan, A.↗
DOE OSTI2025

First 𝛽-Delayed Two-Neutron Spectroscopy of the 𝑟-Process Nucleus 134 In and Observation of the 𝑖 13/2 Single-Particle Neutron State in 133 Sn

This manuscript reports on the direct observation of a 𝛽-delayed two-neutron emission in a study of 134 In at the ISOLDE Decay Station using neutron spectroscopy. We also report on the first measurement in 𝛽 − decay of the long-sought 13/2 + excited state in 133 Sn, attributed to be the neutron single-particle 𝑖 13/2 orbital. The observation of sequential neutron emission is used to extract the relative population of the 𝑖 13/2 state, which was found to be much smaller than the predictions of the statistical model. The experiment was possible because of the innovative use of a neutron array with neutron discrimination and interaction tracking capabilities. This is the first study of the details of the two-neutron emission for a nucleus, which belongs to the 𝑟-process path. Understanding 𝛽-delayed two-neutron emission probabilities is essential to validate models used in astrophysical 𝑟-process nucleosynthesis calculations. Observing two-neutron emissions in 𝛽 − decay paves the way for new experiments to study energy and angular correlations for 𝛽-delayed multineutron emitters.

Beta decay↗
DOE OSTI2024

First Measurement of Discrimination between Helium and Electron Recoils in Liquid Xenon for Low-Mass Dark Matter Searches

We report the first measurement of discrimination between low-energy helium recoils and electron recoils in liquid xenon. This result is relevant to proposed low-mass dark matter searches which seek to dissolve light target nuclei in the active volume of liquid-xenon time projection chambers. Low-energy helium recoils were produced by degrading α particles from Po 210 with a gold foil situated on the cathode of a liquid xenon time-projection chamber. The resulting population of helium recoil events is well separated from electron recoils and is also offset from the expected position of xenon nuclear recoil events. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2025

Search for very-short-baseline oscillations of reactor antineutrinos with the SoLid detector

In this paper we report the first scientific result based on antineutrinos emitted from the BR2 reactor at SCK CEN. The SoLid experiment uses a novel type of highly granular detector whose basic detection unit combines two scintillators, polyvinyl toluene (PVT) and Li 6 F : ZnS ( Ag ) , to measure antineutrinos via their inverse- β -decay products. An advantage of PVT is its highly linear response as a function of deposited particle energy. The full-scale detector comprises 12 800 voxels and operates over a very short 6.3–8.9 m baseline from the reactor core. The detector segmentation and its three-dimensional imaging capabilities facilitate the extraction of the positron energy from the rest of the visible energy, allowing the latter to be utilized for signal-background discrimination. We present a result obtained from 280 reactor-on days (55 MW mean power) and 172 reactor-off days, respectively, of live data taking. A total of 29 479 ± 603 (stat) antineutrino candidates have been selected, corresponding to an average rate of 105 events per day and a signal-to-background ratio of 0.27. A search for disappearance of antineutrinos to a sterile state has been conducted using complementary model-dependent frequentist and Bayesian fits, providing constraints on the allowed region of the reactor antineutrino anomaly.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2024

ETROC1: the first full chain precision timing prototype ASIC for CMS MTD endcap timing layer upgrade

We present the design and characterization of the first fullchain precision timing prototype ASIC, named ETL Readout Chipversion 1 (ETROC1) for the CMS MTD endcap timing layer (ETL)upgrade. The ETL utilizes Low Gain Avalanche Diode (LGAD) sensors todetect charged particles, with the goal to achieve a time resolutionof 40–50 ps per hit, and 30–40 ps per track with hits from twodetector layers. The ETROC1 is composed of a 5 × 5 pixelarray and peripheral circuits. The pixel array includes a4 × 4 active pixel array with an H-tree shaped networkdelivering clock and charge injection signals. Each active pixel iscomposed of various components, including a bump pad, a chargeinjection circuit, a pre-amplifier, a discriminator, adigital-to-analog converter, and a time-to-digital converter. Thesecomponents play essential roles as the front-end link in processingLGAD signals and measuring timing-related information. Theperipheral circuits provide clock signals and readoutfunctionalities. The size of the ETROC1 chip is7 mm× 9 mm. ETROC1 has been fabricated in a 65 nmCMOS process, and extensively tested under stimuli of chargeinjection, infrared laser, and proton beam. The time resolution ofbump-bonded ETROC1 + LGAD chipsets reaches 42–46 ps per hit in thebeam test.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2021

Anisotropic neutron response of trans-stilbene and impact on a handheld dual particle imager

Here this manuscript details measurements of the anisotropic light-output response of trans-stilbene, henceforth referred to as stilbene, along the three primary crystal planes and analyzes how this anisotropic response impacts neutron image reconstruction in a handheld dual particle imager (H2DPI). A prototype H2DPI composed of stilbene pillars (6 x 6 x 50 mm 3 ) coupled to silicon photomultipliers was built and is capable of imaging both fast neutrons and gamma rays from kilogram quantities of special nuclear material. Stilbene was chosen as the scintillating medium for the imager because of its pulse shape discrimination capability, time resolution and relatively high light output. A drawback to using stilbene, however, is the anisotropic response. A recoiling proton from a neutron elastic-scattering event in stilbene will yield different amounts of scintillation light depending on the direction of the recoiling proton with respect to the crystal lattice. This manuscript analyzes how this anisotropic response impacts neutron image reconstruction in 4π. The light output in the three primary crystal planes of stilbene were independently measured 6–7 times for proton recoil energies ranging from 0.5–5.0 MeV using a quasi-monoenergetic time-of-flight neutron source. The measured light-output data in the three crystal planes were fit with a semi-empirical function based on Birks’ formula. These fits were used to reconstruct the location of a 252 Cf source in front of the imager (0°, -0.8°), to the left of the imager (-90°, -0.8°) and directly above the imager (0°, 90°) to determine if it is necessary to apply the directionally-dependent response of stilbene to accurately reconstruct source locations. A bootstrapping technique was applied to the measured data sets to produce 1000 images composed of 2000 cone projections for each source location and each measured light-output curve. List-mode maximum likelihood expectation maximization was applied to each image; the highest pixel location and the full width at half maximum (FWHM) were then recorded. The average and standard deviations of these parameters were taken for each set of images. The maximum difference in the average azimuthal pixel location when varying between the appropriate and incorrect light-output curves for the source locations at (0°, -0.8°) and (-90°, -0.8°) were respectively found to be 1.85 ± 1.39° and 2.03 ± 1.78°. All other pixel locations and FWHMs were within a single standard deviation of uncertainty. Taken together, the anisotropic response of stilbene has negligible impact on the neutron image reconstruction capability of the H2DPI.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2026

The NEXT-100 Detector

The NEXT collaboration is dedicated to the study of double beta decays of 136 Xe using a high-pressure gas electroluminescent time projection chamber. This advanced technology combines exceptional energy resolution (≤ 1% FWHM at the Q ββ value of the neutrinoless double beta decay) and powerful topological event discrimination. Building on the achievements of the NEXT-White detector, the NEXT-100 detector started taking data at the Laboratorio Subterráneo de Canfranc (LSC) in May of 2024. Designed to operate with xenon gas at 13.5 bar, NEXT-100 consists of a time projection chamber where the energy and the spatial pattern of the ionising particles in the detector are precisely retrieved using two sensor planes (one with photo-multiplier tubes and the other with silicon photo-multipliers). The detector has been operating at stable conditions using argon and xenon gases at ~4 bar and drift fields of 74 V cm –1 and 118 V cm –1 , respectively. Alpha decays from the 222 Rn chain have been used to test and monitor the stability of the detector, showing a constant electron lifetime in the drift volume. In this paper, in addition to reporting the results of the commissioning run, we provide a detailed description of the NEXT-100 detector, describe its assembly, and present the current estimation of the radiopurity budget.

Adams, C. [Argonne National Laboratory; NVIDIA] (O↗